NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans visited new families at Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital this week  in support of Saint Thomas Health's efforts to promote safe sleep to new parents during National Baby Safety Month in September.  TE Jace Amaro, FB Jalston Fowler and TE Phillip Supernaw visited patients and welcomed new babies to their families.

"We came to the hospital to welcome the new babies to the world, visit families and spread some Titans' cheer," said Supernaw.  "It's pretty fun to see the newborns and how small they are!"

"Our patients traditionally know of our relationship with the Titans and many come in hoping to be here on the day the Titans come in for a visit," said Donna Darnell, director of nursing at Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital.   "There are smiles all around the morning they are coming between the patients and the staff.  

"September is National Baby Safety Month and here at Midtown, we have been educating our patients and staff members on infant safe sleep for some time.  It's about making sure that our staff  know exactly how to educate our patients when they go home – that the baby sleeps on their back, alone in the crib.  In the state of Tennessee, we have multiple unwarranted deaths for inefficient safe sleep practices so we want to make sure that everyone is equipped with the education they need to provide the safety for that baby."

More than 4,500 infant deaths occur each year due to numerous factors, including accidental suffocation due to unsafe sleep environments.  An unsafe environment could include loose crib blankets, stuffed animals, or any object that could potentially cover the mouth or nose.  Swaddling infants in a blanket is an age-old practice that can comfort a fussy baby. However, incorrect swaddling can pose a health threat. A blanket that is too loose can unwind and hinder breathing; one that is too tight can cause hip problems.   Remember the ABC's of safe sleep -- Infants should sleep Alone, on their Backs, and in a Crib.

"It was fun to see the families and the smiles on their faces when we walked in the door." Supernaw said.

Saint Thomas Health delivers approximately 10,000 newborns each year and educates new parents about safe sleep practices for babies. Their mission is focused on improving the overall health in communities.

For more information, visit the Saint Thomas website at www.sths.com or call (615) 284-BABY.

ABOUT SAINT THOMAS HEALTH

Saint Thomas Health is Middle Tennessee's faith-based, not-for-profit health care system united as one healing community. Saint Thomas Health is focused on transforming the health care experience and helping people live healthier lives, with special attention to the poor and vulnerable. The regional health system includes nine hospitals: Saint Thomas Hospital for Specialty Surgery, Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital and Saint Thomas West Hospital in Nashville, Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro, Saint Thomas Hickman Hospital in Centerville, Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital in Smithville, Saint Thomas Highlands Hospital in Sparta, Saint Thomas River Park Hospital in McMinnville and Saint Thomas Stones River Hospital in Woodbury. A comprehensive network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, clinics and rehabilitation facilities complement the hospital services and cover a 68-county area. Saint Thomas Health is a member of Ascension, a Catholic organization that is the largest not-for-profit health system in the United States. For more information, visit www.STHealth.com.

ABOUT ASCENSION

Ascension (www.ascension.org) is a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care. As the largest non-profit health system in the U.S. and the world's largest Catholic health system, Ascension is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. In FY2015, Ascension provided nearly $2 billion in care of persons living in poverty and other community benefit programs. Approximately 160,000 associates and 36,000 aligned providers serve in 2,500 sites of care – including 141 hospitals and more than 30 senior living facilities – in 24 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to healthcare delivery, Ascension subsidiaries provide a variety of services and solutions including physician practice management, venture capital investing, investment management, biomedical engineering, clinical care management, information services, risk management, and contracting through Ascension's own group purchasing organization.